🏛️LandmarkClosed · Opens 10:30 AMFree

Guildhall

Name: Guildhall
Rating: 4.6

4.6 ·

Step into Guildhall, the City of London's medieval seat of civic power. Wander the historic Great Hall and descend to view London's only Roman amphitheatre, preserved beneath the basement since its 1988 discovery.

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Reasons to go

A Roman amphitheatre lies preserved beneath the building's basement, discovered only in 1988.
The Great Hall has hosted state trials and civic banquets for centuries as the City of London's centre of civic government since medieval times.
Entry is free and the visit takes about 30 minutes, covering a building not usually open to the public.

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Full description

Guildhall has served as the City of London's centre of civic government since the medieval period, its Great Hall the site of state trials and civic banquets for centuries, while an excavated Roman amphitheatre lies preserved beneath the building's basement, discovered only in 1988. Reviewers with a 4.6 rating highlight both the historic hall — used today for everything from livery ceremonies to receptions — and the free amphitheatre exhibit as reasons to visit somewhere most tourists overlook.

Its free entry and 30-minute duration make it an easy, low-commitment way to see a genuinely old layer of London history in the heart of the financial district.

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Address

71 Basinghall St, London EC2V 7HH, UK · Bank

Website

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Hours

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Booking

Walk-in

Duration

30 min

Best time

morning, lunchtime or afternoon

Intensity

Moderate walking

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Good to know

Don't skip the Roman amphitheatre remains in the basement, free to visit and easy to miss if you only see the Great Hall
check opening times carefully, as access can be restricted during civic events
combine it with the nearby Guildhall Art Gallery, which shares the same complex.

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Reviews

I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting with a fizz reception and dining in the crypt. A very interesting building dating back to Roman times. The food was pretty good (small portions) and the seating very tight which made it difficult to enjoy the meal.

John Dakin

1/5

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